Drosendahl, Shaughnessy lead Mustangs past Panthers 

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore Scott Drosendahl (East Aurora, N.Y.) threw three touchdown passes and senior Paul Shaughnessy (Malden, Mass.) accounted for 191 yards and two scores Saturday afternoon as Mount Ida College defeated Plymouth State University, 41-16, in a non-conference football game at Currier Field.

            Drosendahl completed 11-of-19 passes for 167 yards and three scores, one apiece to sophomore Matt Valentini (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.), Shaughnessy, and sophomore Frankie Carlson (Rocky Hill, Conn.).  Shaughnessy rushed for 128 yards and one touchdown and caught four passes for 63 yards and a TD.

            The outcome snapped PSU's 17-game home winning streak, handing the Panthers their first loss at Currier Field since Oct. 21, 2006.  Plymouth State was hurt by four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions) while the special teams allowed a blocked punt for a Mustang touchdown.

            Sophomore Ty Long (Dover, N.H.) provided the bright spot for the Panthers, rushing for 128 yards, his second-straight 100-yard rushing performance.

            Plymouth State started out on a strong note, taking the opening possession 60 yards on six plays and culminating with a six-yard TD run by senior Chris Francher (Weare, N.H.).  The Mustangs came back down the field and senior Billy Beauzile (Brooklyn, N.Y.) kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 7-3.

            The Mustangs took the lead for good moments later when they sacked PSU quarterback quarterback J.J. Brooks (Seabrook, N.H.) on third down deep in Panther territory.  On the next play, senior Shane Gardner (Sunrise, Fla.) blocked the PSU punt and freshman Frank Greene (Hamden, Conn.) recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.  Mount Ida missed a two-point conversion attempt but led 9-7.

            Plymouth State fumbled the ball on its next possession and Mount Ida junior Mack Charles (Lynn, Mass.) picked it up and raced 53 yards to the PSU 22-yard line. Drosendahl hit Martini for a touchdown on the next play and the Mustangs went ahead, 15-7. 

            Mount Ida extended its lead to 22-7 early in the second quarter on a one-yard run by junior Johrone Bunch (Meriden, Conn.). That score was set up when the Panthers fumbled at their own 45 yard line.

            PSU cut the margin to 22-14 on a six-yard TD run by senior Steve Campbell (Northborough, Mass.) midway through the second quarter, but Mount Ida came right back to make it 28-14 on a 19-yard TD pass from Drosendahl to Shaughnessy.  That was set up by a 37-yard run by Bunch.

            Plymouth State recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half but could not capitalize, throwing an interception three plays later.  The Mustangs scored again on a 47-yard burst by Shaughnessy, giving the visitors a 35-14 bulge after three quarters.

            Drosendahl completed the Mount Ida scoring in the fourth quarter with a 20-yard TD pass to Carlson.  PSU got its final two points in the final two minutes when a muffed Mustang snap on a punt attempt went awry and was booted out of the end zone.

            PSU, 1-1, travels to Bridgewater State University next Saturday for the New England Football Conference crossover game (1:00 p.m.)  Mount Ida, 1-1, returns home to host Norwich University in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference opener at 1:00 p.m. 

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